Spring-nesting mechanism for coiling machines



Feb. 3, 1931. c. H. ZILER SPRING NESTING MECHANISM FOR COILING' IACHINES2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Fob. s, 1929 '11v VEMTOR florid/7 /7. [1/61WZ$RNE S5 nlululn 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 C. H. ZILER SPRING NESTING MECHANISMFOR COILING IACHINES Filed Feb. 6, 1929 INVENTOR (arm/7 hf Zi/er gyfwATTQRNEY5 Iii-II! Feb. 3,1931.

Patented Feb. 3, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CORBAN H. ZILER, FCARTHAGE, lv'IISSOURI, ASSIGNOE 'IO L. A. YOUNG SPRING AND WIRECORPORATION, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN SPRING-NESTING MECHANISM FOR GOILINGMACHINES Application fil-ed February 6, 1929. h semu No. 337,758.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a mechanism adapted for use in combination withspring-coiling machines which automatically nests the springs as theyare delivered from the coiling machine. 7

Second, to provide a mechanism having these advantages which may beadded as an attachment to coiling machines of a type now veryextensively used.

Third, to provide a nesting mechanism for coiling machines in which theparts are so constructed and arranged that the wear and strain thereonis relatively slight.

Fourth, to provide a mechanism whichis of large capacity and may bereadily adjusted to the speed of the coiling machine.

Objects pertaining to details and economies of my invention willdefinitely appear from the description to follow. The invention isdefined in the claims.

A structure which embodies the features of my invention isclearlyillustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation: of a coiling machine embodying the featuresof my invention; I

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary elevation looking from the right of Fig. 1,parts being shown in vertical section;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view the nesting mechanism;

Fig. 1 is a detail view partially in vertical section showing furtherdetails of the nesting mechanism; and

Fig. 5 is a detail view partially in sec tion on the broken line 5-5 ofFig. 1.

In the accompanying drawing, 1. .d-esignates the coiling mechanismgenerally, and as the details of this mechani-sni form no part of mypresent invention they are not described herein. It will be understoodthat my improvements are capable of embodim-ent in certain standard andextensively used types of machine adapted for the coiling of helicallycoiled springs such as are employed in spring-seat cushions, beds, andthe like.

The coiled springs 2 are projected transversely from the coilingmechanism as they are formed and are engaged by the transfer or nestingjaws 12 substantially simultaneouslywvith the severing thereof from thestock from which they are formed indicated at 3.

The springs are projected over a segmentally curved support 4 which ispivoted on the rod 5 to swing from supporting position to allow'theformed springs to be swung downwardly by the transfer or nesting jaws.The support has a transverse slot 6 therein alined with the jaws. Achute 7 is positioned to receive the formed'springs, this chute havingadjustable spring retaining members 8 mounted on its side walls. Thesprings are delivered below these retaining members and pushed alongthereunder as successive springs are delivered to the nesting chute asindicated inthe drawings.

Transversely above this chute I mount a shaft 9 having an arm 10carrying. a pivot 11 for the jaws 12 which have curved workengagingportions 13 and'terminate in the diverging tips 14. These jaws are notonly free to swing on the pivot 11 but may move axially thereon, beingurged to work-engaging position by the springs 15. One of the jaws isprovided with a spring guide member 16. Stops or thrust members 17 and18 are mounted on one of the jaws to extend across the space between thejaws, thereby limiting the movement ofthe springs into the jaws. Apusher arm 19 projects from one of the jaws to engage the side of thespring. 7

The jaws are opened by the wedge-shaped cam 20 with which they areengagedby a relatively rearward swinging movement. The cam 20 is carriedby the arm 10.

To swing the jaws on their pivot in proper timed relation with therotation of their supporting arm 10,1 provide cams 21 and 22 which coactwith the roller 23 on the link or pitman 24 pivoted at 25 to the jaws.This linkor pitman is provided with a longitudinal slot 26 through whichthe shaft 9 is arranged, thereby slidably supporting the link.

The cam 21 is shaped so as to swing the jaws forwardly with a quickmovement to springengaging position, the jaws closing upon the (ill workas the roller passes over the point 27 of the cam. The work is carriedforward by the jaws until it is delivered below the retaining members 8and in nested relation to the springs previously delivered, the springspreviously delivered being pushed along by the successive delivery ofsucceeding springs.

As the work reaches this delivery point the roller 23 comes intoengagement with the cam 22. The engagement with this cam quickly movesthe pitman or link 24: outward, moving the jaws backward on their pivotinto engagement with the opening cam, thereby releasing the work innested position.

To operate the support 4 in synchronism or proper timed relation to theaws, I provide the shaft 9 with a cam 28 which acts upon the lever 29pivoted at 30 and connected by the link 31 to an arm 32 on the support4. The shaft 9 is connected by suitable gearing indicated at 33 to thedriving gear 34: of the coiling machine. A spring 35 holds the lever, 29in engagement with the cam 28.

The springs are delivered by the nesting jaws to the spring-retainingmembers 8 which are mounted on the side walls of the chute 7, thesemembers frictionally holding the spring so that as the successivesprings are delivered, the coils of the spring delivered are pushedbetween the coils of the springs previously delivered, the delivery ofsuccessive springs pushing the previously delivered springs along in theholder and chute, with the result that they are very compactly nested.

My improved nesting mechanism very effectively and uniformly nests thecoiled springs, is of large capacity, and. may be readily adapted to thespeed of the coiling machine. There is the further advantage that it issimple and compact in structure.

I have illustrated and described my improvements in an embodiment whichI have found very satisfactory. T have not attempted to illustrate anddescribe various modifications and adaptations which I contemplate as Ibelieve this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embodyor adapt my improvements as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with a spring coiling means, of a segmentaltransversely slotted pivotally mounted support over which the springsare projected by said spring coiling means, a nesting chute providedwith spaced spring retainers disposed longitudinally of the chute, ashaft mounted transversely above said chute and provided with an armcarrying a jaw pivot at its outer end, coacting jaws mounted on saidpivot for rocking and lateral movement thereon, springs mounted on saidpivot acting to close said jaws, a wedgeshaped cam on said arm and withwhich said jaws are engaged and disengaged by the rocking movement ofthe jaws, a link slidably mounted on said shaft and pivotally connectedto the outer ends of said jaws, said link being provided with a camengaging roller, cams acting to reciprocate said link as the shaft isrotated thereby rocking said aws on their pivot, said cans beingpositioned so that the jaws engage the springs in coiling position andrelease them after they are delivered to said nesting chute below saidretainers, and means for actuating said spring support in synchronismwith the actuation of sain jaws comprising a pivoted lever, a cam onsaid shaft for actuating said lever, an arm on said support, and a linkconnecting said arm on said support to said lever.

2. The combination with a spring coiling means, of a segmentaltransversely slotted pivotally mounted support over which the springsare projected by said spring coiling means, a nesting chute providedwith spaced spring retainers disposed longitudinally of the chute, ashaft mounted transversely above said chute and provided with an armcarrying a aw pivot at its outer end, coacting aws mounted on said pivotfor rocking and lateral movement thereon, springs mounted on said 'pivotacting to close said jaws, wedgeshaped cam on said arm and with whichsaid jaws are engaged and disengaged by the rocking movement of thejaws, a link slidably' mounted on said shaft and pivotally connected tothe outer ends of said jaws, said link being provided with a camengaging roller, cams acting to reciprocate said link as the shaft isrotated thereby rocking said jaws on their pivot, said cams beingpositioned so that the jaws engage the springs in coiling position andrelease them after they are delivered to said nesting chute below saidretainers, and means for actuating said spring support in synchronismwith the actuation of said jaws.

3. The combination of a nesting chute pro vided with spaced springretainers disposed longitudinally of the chute, a shaft mountedtransversely above said chute and provided with an arm carrying a awpivot at its outer end, coacting jaws mounted on said pivot for rockingand lateral movement thereon, springs mounted on said pivot acting toclose said jaws, a wedge-shaped cam on said arm and with which said jawsare engaged and disengaged by the rocking movement of the jaws, a linkslida ly mounted on said shaft and pivotally connected to the outer endsof said jaws, said link being provided with a cam engaging roller, andcams acting to reciprocate said link as the shaft is rotated therebyrocking said jaws on their pivot, said cams being positioned so that thejaws engage the springs in coiling position and release them after theyare delivered to said nesting chute below said retainers.

4. The combination of a nesting chute provided with spaced springretainers disposed longitudinally of the chute, a shaft mountedtransversely above said chute and provided with an arm carrying a jawpivot at its outer end, coacting jaws mounted on said pivot for rockingand lateral movement thereon, springs mounted on said pivot acting toclose said jaws, a wedge-shaped cam on said arm and with which said jawsare engaged and disengaged by the rocking movement of the jaws, a linkslida-bly mounted on said shaft and pivotally connected to the outerends of said jaws, said link being provided with a cam engaging roller,cams acting to reciprocate said link as the shaft is rotated therebyrocking said jaws on their pivot, said cams being positioned so that thejaws engage the springs in coiling position and release them after theyare delivered to said nesting chute below said retainers, thrust membersmounted on one of said jaws to overlap the other, and a pusher armmounted on one of said jaws to project laterally therefrom.

5. The combination with a spring coiling means, of a movably mountedsupport to which the springs are delivered by said spring coiling means,a nesting chute, a shaft provided with an arm, coacting jaws pivotallymounted on said arm for opening and closing and rocking movement,springs acting to close said jaws, a jaw opening cam on said arm andwith which the aws are engaged by the pivotal movement thereof, a linkconnected to said jaws and slidably supported by said shaft, cams actingon said link as the shaft is rotated to reciprocate the same and therebyrock said jaws, aspring thrust member mounted on one of said jaws, apusher arm projecting laterally from one of said jaws to coact with aspring engaged by said jaws, and means for actuating said spring supportin synchronism with said jaws.

6. The combination of a nesting chute, a shaft provided'with an arm,coacting jaws pivotally mounted on said arm for opening and closing androcking movement, springs acting to close said aws, a aw opening cam onsaid arm and with which the jaws are engaged by the pivotal movementthereof, a link connected to said jaws and slidably supported by said.shaft, cams acting on said link as the shaft is rotated to reciprocatethe same and thereby rock said jaws, a spring thrust member mounted onone of said aws, and a pusher arm projecting laterally from one of saidjaws to coact with a spring engaged by said jaws.

7. The combination with a spring coiling means, of a movably mountedsupport to which the springs are delivered by said spring coiling means,a nesting chute, a shaft provided with an arm, coacting jaws pivotallymounted on said arm for opening and closing and rocking movement,springs acting to close said jaws, a jaw opening cam on said arm andwith which. the jaws are engagedby the pivotal movement thereof, a linkconn'ected to said jaws and slidably supported by said'shaft, camsacting on said link as the shaft is rotated to reciprocate the same andthereby rock said jaws, and means for actuating said spring support insynchronism with said jaws;

8. The combination of a nesting chute, a shaft provided with an arm,coacting jaws pivotally mounted on saidarm for opening and closing androcking movement, {springs actingto close said jaws, a jaw opening camon said arm and with which the jaws are engaged'by the pivotal movementthereof, a link connected to said jaws and slidablysupported by saidshaft, and cams acting on said link as the shaft is rotated toreciprocate the same and thereby rock saidjaw's. 9.'The combination witha spring coiling means, of a pivotedsupport towhichthe springs-aredelivered by saidcoiling means, a nesting chute, transferjaws acting toengage the springs while in coiling position and transferring the sameto said chute, spring retaining members arranged in said chute, a springpusher member movable with said jaws, and means for actuating saidspring support synchronized with the said jaws so that the springsupport is swung out of supporting position to permit the forwardmovement of the springs after engagement by the jaws.

10. The combination with a spring coiling means, of a nesting chute,transfer jaws acting to engage an intermediate coil of the springs whilein coiling position and transfer the same to said chute, springretaining members arranged in and disposed laterally of said chute tocoact with the ends of the springs, and a spring pusher memberprojecting transversely of and movable with said aws.

11. The combination with a spring coiling means, of a movable supportpositioned to support the springs delivered by said coiling means, anesting chute, a rotatable support, jaws pivotally mounted on saidsupport, means for rocking said jaws on their pivot as the support isrevolved, a spring pusher member carried by said jaws, and means foractuating said spring support in synchronism with the opening andclosing of said aws.

12. The combination with a spring coiling means, of a nesting chute, arotatable support, jaws pivotally mounted on said support, meansforrocking said jaws on their pivot as the support is revolved, and aspring pusher member carried by said jaws.

13. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a nestingchute, a rotatable support, jaws pivotally mounted on said support, acam means for swinging said jaws on their pivot brought into action bythe rotation of said support, other cammeans for opening and closingsaid jaws brought into action by the swinging of said jaws on theirpivot, and a pusher arm projecting lateraily from one of said jaws toengage a spring engaged by the jaws.

14:. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a nestingchute, a rotatable support, jaws pivotally mounted on said support, acam means for swinging said jaws on their pivot brought into action bythe rotation of said support, and other cam means for opening andclosing said jaws brought into action by the swinging of said jaws ontheir pivot.

15. The combination with a spring coiling means, of a nesting chute, arotatably mounted support, jaws pivotally mounted on said support, meansfor opening and closing said jaws brought into action by the swinging ofthe jaws on their pivot, and means for swinging said jaws on their pivotbrought into action by the rotation of said arm.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

CORBAN H. ZILER.

